Men's Lacrosse Midfielder Reflects On Academic, Athletic Commitments

While his teammates developed their skills during fall break,
Albion College men’s lacrosse defensive midfielder and
faceoff specialist Nick DiMaggio was developing skills he hopes
will be valuable in launching his career in business.

Started in 2008, the Student Entrepreneurial Exchange (SEE)
brings Albion and SDV students together for the development of
business plans and cultural exchange. During the week abroad,
DiMaggio’s team worked on developing a business plan for a
fictional security app that can send information about an
individual’s location in the event of an emergency. The team
will meet via video conferencing to work out marketing and
financial details and to develop a launch plan for the project,
then the French students travel to Albion in April for the product
proposal, presented during the College’s Elkin R. Isaac
Student Research Symposium.

“I made a commitment to this college to play lacrosse and
give it everything I have,” DiMaggio said. “As a
student, I made a commitment to myself to do the best I can in
every course and to follow my passion. I’m working to balance
my opportunities on the field and in career preparation.

“Luckily, [Albion men’s lacrosse] Coach [Jake]
DeCola understands the needs of the student-athletes to work on
academic projects,” DiMaggio added, including other stories
of how DeCola has provided support as teammates have successfully
juggled playing lacrosse while preparing for entrance examinations
for graduate or professional programs.

While in France, DiMaggio and his Albion classmates attended
class at SDV from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a departure from the American
college schedule. The Albion students presented the research they
had already completed about the product’s opportunities in
the American market and learned how market research is conducted in
France.

Of course, time was set aside for sightseeing and sampling
French culture, and DiMaggio wasn’t about to miss the
opportunity to teach lacrosse to a new audience.

“I had never been outside North America,” DiMaggio
admitted. “I can always look at the Eiffel Tower and other
landmarks on Google. I enjoyed experiencing the senses –
smell, taste – while taking in all the cultures from France
and the neighboring countries around us.

“As an Eagle Scout and someone who is familiar with maps,
I knew I had some experiences that prepared me [for foreign
travel], but I had never been in a situation where I did not know
the language,” he added. “I read in class and on the
flight about cultural norms in France. I was calm, cool, and
collected on the outside all the while being anxious on the
inside.

“I’m never opposed to spreading the game,”
DiMaggio continued. “Lacrosse has been growing exponentially
in the U.S. A lot of people have talked about growing the game and
how it should not be restricted to one person. People should always
be available to pass on the virtues of the game.”

Albion finished the 2014 season as the Michigan Intercollegiate
Athletic Association runner-up in men’s lacrosse, and the
Britons have high expectations for the spring. The Britons have
five all-MIAA first team selections – Cameron Braun, Kyle
Formanczyk, Dylan Neal, Joe Silvestri, and Tim Urso –
expected to return to the squad.

DiMaggio, however, understands that communication between
himself, faculty, and the coaches will be essential as he prepares
for the French students’ visit and the final presentation
along with working to have success on the field.

“I lean back on the fact that there have been many
student-athletes before me who have completed similar
projects,” DiMaggio said. “It is going to be tough, but
this is something [in which] I know everyone involved –
coaches and teachers – will work with me.”